Climate Change Consciousness Week 2016

Climate Change Consciousness Week 2016 at Maryknoll Ecological Sanctuary started with a forum on “Global Situation of Water and Food Security,” on December 1, 2016. Sr. Marvie Misolas, MM, gave a presentation on the looming water crisis on a global scale. Mita Dimalanta spoke on “Water is Wealth”, focusing on the water situation in Baguio City. Discussions on the floor were lively, as the participants realized the urgent need to take action on the issue of water.

Jefferson Laruan, owner of Lily of the Valley Organic Farms, and Gawad Saka Regional Awardee for 2 years, led a one-day discussion on “Growing your own food” on the occasion of Climate Change Consciousness Week at Maryknoll Ecological Sanctuary. The participants were thankful to learn how to have a supply of safe, healthy, and nutritious food for their families by growing their own food. The day’s discussions centered on organic farming awareness, soil management, seeds and plant management, pest management and harvest.

“Seed Saving for Climate Resilience” was the topic of discussion on the third day of Climate Change Consciousness Week at Maryknoll Ecological Sanctuary, December 3, 2016. Sherry Manning and Karen Lee Hizola of the Friends of Enca Farm gave a presentation on seed saving, its importance and the global farmers actions to take back control of the world’s seed resources. Participants tried to identify seeds of various food crops, and saw the difference between organic seeds which are saved by farmers and the chemical laden seeds available on the market.

"Peace is my nature, love is my action, and happiness is the result”. This was a constant message of Ms. Becky Ortega, Brahma Kumaris facilitator of the “Inner Optimism and Resilience Change Maker Workshop” on November 28 and 29, 2016, in preparation for Climate Change Consciousness Week. MES staff and partners participated in the 2-day workshop which focused on inner values, meditation, and inner optimism and resilience.